A blog about individual and community development using new information and communication technologies, especially e-learning, open educational resources, open source, Web 2.0, blogs, wikis, social networking, social bookmarking, semantic web and other social software.

2015-07-31

The integration of information technology into our unique learning environments can be greatly enhanced if we apply constructivist approaches. Such approaches could include, but are not limited to discovery learning, inquiry based learning, play-based learning and making. But they also include listening, reflecting, and taking the time to process. Essentially, we want our learners to become great thinkers. We want learners to take an active role in the learning process and move away from the passive regurgitation of information being passed from a teacher to a student. Effective infusion of information technology into our learning environments is an excellent way to achieve this.

In our world, information technology is not just a means to an end. It more about the information and how we use it that is the most important. How to find it, how to process it, how to use it, and how to build on it. The technology we use facilitates and re-shapes this use of information in many new ways. For instance, no longer are we following learning in a linear fashion, say, based on a textbook. Rather, we are working in flexible frameworks where learners can focus on big ideas, but follow their learning along multiple paths happening all at once in the learning environment.

Stewart-Marshall's insight: Informational technology needs to be holistically integrated into our learning environments. The integration of information technology into our unique learning environments can be greatly enhanced if we apply constructivist approaches. Such approaches could include, but are not limited to discovery learning, inquiry based learning, play-based learning and making. But they also include listening, reflecting, and taking the time to process. Essentially, we want our learners to become great thinkers. We want learners to take an active role in the learning process and move away from the passive regurgitation of information being passed from a teacher to a student. Effective infusion of information technology into our learning environments is an excellent way to achieve this. In our world, information technology is not just a means to an end. It more about the information and how we use it that is the most important. How to find it, how to process it, how to use it, and how to build on it. The technology we use facilitates and re-shapes this use of information in many new ways. For instance, no longer are we following learning in a linear fashion, say, based on a textbook. Rather, we are working in flexible frameworks where learners can focus on big ideas, but follow their learning along multiple paths happening all at once in the learning environment. Learn more:

2015-07-28

Excitement about the promise and potential of information and communication technology (ICT) devices for use in taching and learning has been around for a few decades, but only recently has this been translated into large scale purchases of such devices for use in schools outside of industrialized, 'highly developed' countries. What's happening where, you ask?

ALISON provides a free learning platform and is continually inspired by the large number of female learners from developing countries, where the challenges exist. Women in India, Pakistan and Ethiopia, enroll, engage and complete course after certified course and this free education tool is helping to promote social progress and a better quality of life for those who can avail of it.

2015-07-21

If you build it, will they come? Just because you create a makerspace (PDF) in your school doesn't guarantee that your community will embrace it. Students who have had all personal choice removed by traditional educational models can be passive and feel overwhelmed when faced with real-world problems or design challenges. Academic passivity is common in schools where students swallow content and regurgitate it on multiple-choice tests. Students simply want to know how to get the "A." This type of learning does not stick.

Teachers may find the role of facilitator (or "guide on the side") uncomfortable if they are used to being the "sage on the stage." New technology in these spaces may be intimidating. Teachers need encouragement and professional development to change their mindsets and become facilitators of learning.

How do you change your culture and ensure that your shiny new makerspace will empower students to acquire 21st-century skills? How do you change the culture of student apathy to encourage a mindset of doing? Follow these steps and design tips to build a culture of making and active learning.

2015-07-19

In step with the growing popularity of eLearning solutions, organizations have to think strategically about the structure and the outcomes they hope to achieve before any eLearning content is created across the entire organizational spread. Global eLearning solutions can help companies drastically cut travel and employee training costs, as well as improve efficiency while retaining a uniform international company culture. However, there are many challenges when creating a global eLearning initiative, which can lead to unnecessary cost or delays in rolling out the initiative. By following the best practices of eLearning content development, organizations can avoid common mistakes and create impactful learning content for international learners.

2015-07-16

This course will be of great interest to all human resources, teaching and training professionals who are involved in training, instructional design and e-learning, and who would like to learn more about important aspects of instructional systems design and their use and application in designing and developing highly effective instructional materials or courses.

2015-07-09

For some people who have never visited Africa, their impressions of that continent are drawn almost totally from the media. So if the media are constantly presenting images depicting disease, poverty and terrorism, then those people will inevitably have a negative image of Africa. Tired of this negative portrayal in the media, many Africans and others interested in portraying more positive images have taken to posting photos on Twitter using the hashtag #TheAfricaTheMediaNeverShowsYou.

2015-07-06

The use of ICT is central to practice in most areas of professional life - for example, surgeons regularly conduct life-saving operations over the Internet from distant locations. Young people live their lives in a digital world, and the Internet is their first destination for information and for social interaction. In general, the learning experience of young people can be enhanced and enriched through the appropriate use of technology and digital resources. If the learning process and the environment within which learning occurs reflect the ways these young people engage with technology outside of formal schooling, it would seem logical that learning would be a more engaging, interesting and intellectually stimulating experience. Evidence exists that access to high- quality online content not only enriches learning and helps to deliver curricular objectives, but also raises motivation levels, which can ultimately contribute to better student achievement.

In a surprising announcement this morning at the Australia Moot, founder Martin Dougiamas announced the launch of MoodleCloud, free Moodle classroom hosting for educators worldwide.

The service will provide educators around the globe the ability to sign up, create courses, and host their classes online for free all on a current Moodle version without needing their local IT staff or administrators to setup a site or fees for hosting.

While the site is not designed for running a MOOC or larger course (users are limited at 50) it does come with free access to BigBlueButton web conferencing for up to 6 users at a time, potentially a great resource for online tutoring sessions and live instruction.

2015-07-04

How to facilitate such discussions is confusing to many teachers, and online discussion threads and chatrooms may be seen as a poor substitute for the “real” thing, an evil necessity of the online class. However, although there are some barriers such as its more decontextualized nature, in comparison to face-to-face discussion, there are advantages that are unique to the online discussion that can be built on by the instructor while the drawbacks are minimized.

2015-07-03

With the explosion of 3D printing in schools around the world, the variety and impressiveness of things that students and teachers are printing with this powerful technology grows every day.

Check out all these different objects that have been created with 3D printers. Some of these items are changing people’s lives! Hopefully some of these ideas can inspire you to start exploring 3D printing, or to try something new if you’re already using this wonderful technology.